Google TV

Yet Another Google Embarrassment

Yesterday, Logitech announced it was discontinuing the Revue, the Google TV-powered box that you've probably never heard of.

Downtrodden and hurting badly, Google TV has become everyone’s go-to punching bag this week. Yesterday, Logitech announced it was discontinuing the Revue, the Google TV-powered box that you’ve probably never heard of. Logitech lost $100 million dollars on it and wasn’t shy about calling out Google for its naivete at thinking it could just show up in TV town and everyone would be all “Dude, I want your revolution in me.”

Today Sony delivered a Holyfield-style body blow and headbutt to send Google TV into a confused state by saying, “Screw that Google TV $#*!. We’re making our own smart TV platform.” Word from our Japanese translator is that’s not entirely verbatim, but the message that Google’s got another dud venture on its hands seems clear. After even some minor coups like 24-hour porn for Google TV and apps for when you’re tired of porn, a lack of top-tier content and Hulu support is still looking grim.

The problem is that TV, entertainment and internet convergence is so obviously the future that Google’s probably not going to put TV OS out to pasture any time soon, no matter how badly its future looks. So we expect it'll drag this sad-looking teddy bear around the streets of Silicon Valley for a while, hoping someone will find it cute, until — cue drum roll — a rebranding.